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View Full Version : One for the Plus Column - Pocket Plus 2.0 by Spb Software House


Doug Raeburn
05-11-2004, 06:00 PM
<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-0.gif" /><br /><br /><b>Product Category:</b> Utilities<br /><b>Manufacturer:</b> <a href="http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com">Spb Software House</a> <br /><b>Where To Buy:</b> <a href="http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=50351">Handango</a> [Affiliate]<br /><b>System Requirements:</b> Pocket PC 2002 or Windows Mobile 2003 device (some WM2003 devices may not be compatible); 1+ MB of storage memory<br /><b>Price:</b> $14.95 USD<br /><br /><b>Pros:</b><ul><li>Adds launcher functionality to the Today screen;<li>Enhances File Explorer;<li>Enhances Pocket Internet Explorer;<li>Adds many new alarm functions;<li>Provides Close button configuration;<li>New "always visible" battery level indicator in the task bar;<li>Selected applications can be specified to "always minimize".</ul><b>Cons:</b><ul><li>Alarm enhancements don’t work with all Windows Mobile 2003 devices.</ul><b>Summary:</b><br />The Pocket PC operating system has been the foundation of many very popular handheld devices. However, despite its popularity, many Pocket PC owners find that some desired features are missing, incomplete or not designed to their liking. Spb Software House has just released the latest version of Pocket Plus, a utility program that addresses many of these Pocket PC shortcomings.<br /><br />So just how useful is it? Read the full review to find out!<br /><!> <PAGEBREAK> <br /><span><b>What’s New?</b></span><br />Prior versions of Pocket Plus provided such features as a Today screen plug-in, a task manager, repeating alarms and enhancements to Pocket Internet Explorer and the Close button. New features in version 2.0 include a new set of enhancements for the standard File Explorer, as well as an "always visible" battery level indicator in the top task bar. In addition, the Today screen plug-in is better than ever with support for multiple tabs and extended themes. Finally, a number of new enhancements to Pocket Internet Explorer are added to those provided in earlier versions of Pocket Plus. Let's look at these features in more detail.<br /><br /><span><b>A Better Today</b></span><br />The Today screen plug-in is one of the hallmarks of the Pocket PC OS. With it, Microsoft took a different approach to the “home page” concept than the folks at Palm, providing calendar, task and e-mail information in place of the launcher used by Palm. Naturally, some Palm converts and others expressed a preference for a launcher on the Today screen, while others liked Microsoft’s idea. So is there a perfect solution?<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-1.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 1: Today Screen Plug-in and "always visible" battery level indicator.</i><br /><br />Well, I don’t know if it’s “perfect”, but Pocket Plus tries to provide the best of both worlds, adding a launcher as a Today screen plug-in while still displaying the rest of the standard Today screen information. This differs from other Today screen solutions such as Snoopsoft’s Dashboard, which provides the ability to pull up separate calendar, e-mail, task and launcher pages. Pocket Plus provides an effective alternative that doesn’t limit itself to one type of display. Figure 1 shows a standard Today screen with the Pocket Plus launcher plug-in on the bottom.<br /><br />On the Main tab, you find a variety of icons for program launching, system monitoring and system utilities. Tap on the icon for Pocket Word and, as you’d expect, the application opens up. Most of the larger icons are for system monitoring… they include system memory, storage card memory and battery charge level. Another large icon (I think it’s supposed to be a light bulb, although on this screen it looks more like a globe) has a slider under it for adjusting backlight brightness. Finally, there a little “home” icon with an arrow next to it that allows you to cycle through the extended Today screen themes included with the product.<br /><br />What is an "extended theme"? Well, in addition to the wallpaper and color changes that most theme managers support, extended themes provide new icons for the Today screen plug-in that complement the theme.<br /><br />Also, Figure 1 shows the "always visible" battery indicator. That's the green line at the top of the screen. As it's part of the top task bar, you can see the battery level in any application that shows the task bar. <br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-2.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 2: Drag and drop your icons.</i><br /><br />The Today plug-in has some features that are clearly inspired by the desktop functionality in Windows on your desktop computer. For example, you can rearrange the icons by using drag and drop, as shown in Figure 2.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-3.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 3: It’s a beautiful arrangement.</i><br /><br />Drop it and voilà! The icon is on the left of the screen.<br /><br />Icon management is also similar to desktop Windows. Figure 3 shows the icon management menu that comes up when you “tap and hold” on an icon. In this case, I’ve done so on the Calculator icon in order to change it from a large icon to a small icon.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-4.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 4: Shrinkage! Haven’t you ever heard of shrinkage?</i><br /><br />And there you have it… a small icon for the Calculator. In addition to changing an icon’s size, you can also swap out the icon for a different one.<br /> <PAGEBREAK> <br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-5.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 5: You’re not going anywhere until you straighten up your desktop!</i><br /><br />Icon arrangement is also a snap. I like my desktop icons very specifically organized, so I usually turn Auto Arrange off when using my desktop. Thanks for Pocket Plus, I can now do the same thing on my Pocket PC. <br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-6.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 6: It's a beautiful arrangement.</i><br /><br />A quick session of drag and drop and I’m done. Yeah, that’s much better. Felix Unger would be proud of me for being so neat!<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-7.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 7: System icons</i><br /><br />The other standard tabs include the Connect tab, which contains icons for connectivity related applications such as e-mail and Pocket IE. Figure 7 shows the System tab, which provides access to many of the applets on the Settings screen, while adding even more. For example, you’re a single tap away from applets such as Clock, Remove Programs and Align Screen.<br /><br />If you’re running Windows XP on your desktop, you may recognize the large square green icon that looks like a button with an asterisk. This is the Reset icon, and with Pocket Plus, it allows you to perform a soft reset without using the Reset button. When you tap this button, Pocket Plus asks you to confirm that you’d like to perform the soft reset, so you don’t do so by accident.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-8.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 8: Themes to work pretty well.</i><br /><br />In Figure 8, I tapped the “cycle themes” icon that I described above. This is one of the 20 extended themes included with Pocket Plus, and more are available. Note the new set of icons that highlights the new theme.<br /><br />And this just scratches the surface. You can create more tabs (up to 5), rename existing tabs, and add new icons. For example, if you’d like, you can create a Games tab and move the icons for all of your games there. <br /><br />Overall, the Pocket Plus adds a lot of versatility to your Today screen with this handy plug-in. <PAGEBREAK> <br /><br /><span><b>Exploring Your Pocket PC</b></span><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-9.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 9: The basic File Explorer</i><br /><br />The Pocket PC comes with the File Explorer applet, which suffers from some extremely limited functionality. For example, it has no method for moving up a folder or for looking at file properties. Figure 9 shows the barebones File Explorer window.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-10.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 10: Adding some much needed flair…</i><br /><br />Pocket Plus adds some useful options to the standard File Explorer, as shown in the Settings screen in Figure 10. It provides both the “moving up a folder” and “looking at file properties” capabilities described as missing in the previous paragraph. Pocket Plus also adds ZIP file functionality and storage card formatting to File Explorer.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-11.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 11: The changes are subtle, but significant.</i><br /><br />Figure 11 shows File Explorer with the Pocket Plus enhancements. Notice the “folder up” icon in the top menu bar.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-12.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 12: Zip right through all your file management tasks.</i><br /><br />And now the “tap and hold” menu for a file includes the abilities to add the file to a ZIP file and to view the file’s properties.<br /><br />These enhancements won’t turn the standard File Explorer into a replacement for a dedicated third party product such as Resco File Explorer. But if your requirements for a file explorer are fairly simple, Pocket Plus provides very functional enhancements to the standard File Explorer. They may be enough to make a third party file explorer replacement unnecessary for you.<br /> <PAGEBREAK> <br /><span><b>Explore Your World</b></span><br />How quickly things change in the world of technology. When the first Pocket PCs were introduced, Pocket Internet Explorer (PIE) was designed with the idea that it would be used in a very limited fashion, since options for connecting a Pocket PC to the Internet weren’t very portable at the time. So to say that the features in Pocket Internet Explorer were limited back then is an understatement.<br /><br />Fast forward to a few years later, and you'll find that many new Pocket PCs are coming with built-in wireless connectivity. At the same time, you can walk into many Starbucks and McDonalds locations and go online wirelessly there. Connectivity is much more portable and easily accessed than it was just a short time ago, and as a result, people are looking to do more extensive web browsing from their Pocket PC. And as they attempt to do so, the shortcomings of PIE become all the more evident. Finally, the features added to PIE when the various OS upgrades were released were limited, so the current version of the browser is still very similar to its first version.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-13.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 13: Pocket Internet Explorer now does windows!</i><br /><br />Once again, Pocket Plus comes to the rescue! The first PIE shortcoming addressed is the fact that it can only have one window open at a time. So if you need to go from one page to another and back, PIE has to reload the first page when you return. Pocket Plus adds the ability to open multiple windows in PIE. Its functions are accessed through the little Pocket Plus icon added to the menu bar. Figure 13 shows the added menu. The current window is the item on the menu with the bullet in front of it. By choosing New Window from this menu, as you might guess, a new window with the current contents is open. Enter the address for the new page or site in the Address Bar.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-14.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 14: A new window opened.</i><br /><br />OK, now we have two identical windows open, with the currently displayed window highlighted by the bullet. At this point, enter the web address for the new page or site.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-15.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 15: If you haven’t ordered those flowers for Mom by now, it’s too late!</i><br /><br />The new page is displayed in the new window.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-16.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 16: Back and forth, back and forth. Make up your mind, will you?</i><br /><br />The Pocket Plus menu allows you to move back and forth between these windows without the need to reload each page.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-17.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 17: You need a full screen view to fit all of the breaking news!</i><br /><br />If you’ve used PIE on a Pocket PC, you know that the relatively small screen limits the amount of a page that can be displayed. To help with this, Pocket Plus also adds a full screen mode, which removes the menu and address bars from the screen. To return to the standard screen, tap the little icon in the lower left corner.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-18.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 18: "Source for the goose, Mr. Saavik."</i><br /><br />A new feature for version 2.0 is the ability to display the HTML source code for a displayed web page. As shown in Figure 18, the code is displayed in Pocket Word.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-19.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 19: Somebody save me...</i><br /><br />Yet another new feature is the ability to save images through PIE. This feature is accessed through the "Save Picture As..." command now available through the tap and hold menu for pictures.<br /><br />A number of well chosen and well designed additions to PIE by Pocket Plus make it a much more functional browser.<br /> <PAGEBREAK> <br /><span><b>Don’t Be Alarmed</b></span><br />For a product that’s supposed to be able to keep track of your appointments and make sure you get to them on time, the Pocket PC provides some pretty weak alarm functionality. If you don’t or can’t react to the alarm in some way (like tapping the snooze button), it basically goes off once and that’s about it.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-20.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 20: This screen speaks volumes.</i><br /><br />Pocket Plus adds a great assortment of new capabilities to Pocket PC alarms. Figure 20 shows one of the settings screens for the repeating alarms. The ascending sound volume is the real winner here, in my opinion. If you’re in a quiet area, you should hear the alarm while it’s still at a low volume and shut it off before it annoys others. If you’re in a noisier area, the alarm will eventually get loud enough so that you should hear it. No set volume can provide that versatility.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-21.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 21: More options.</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-22.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 22: No power trip for the repeating alarms…</i><br /><br />Figures 21 and 22 show more of the repeating alarm settings. You can set the alarm to play continuously or in a set of repeating series, and you can configure the number of times the alarm will sound in each series. You can also tell it how long to continue to play the alarm. And finally, so that repeating alarms don’t wear your battery completely down, you can set them to stop when the battery gets below a certain charge level.<br /><br />This functionality can be very helpful. Unfortunately, SPB warns you that the repeating alarms may not work with all Windows Mobile 2003 devices and, lo and behold, my upgraded iPAQ 5450 is one of them. However, it does work fine on my iPAQ 2215. According to SPB, this is due to an issue on the OS side. At any rate, as always, it behooves you to take advantage of free trials to uncover any problems or incompatibilities. It's worth noting that the repeating alarm functionality is turned off by default, so when you first install Pocket Plus 2.0 it will not interact with the alarms in any way until you turn this feature on.<br /> <PAGEBREAK> <br /><span><b>Closing Time</b></span><br />Few design decisions that Microsoft made with the Pocket PC OS have elicited as much controversy as the Close button. Rather than closing the application as in desktop Windows, tapping the Close button actually "minimizes" the application on the Pocket PC. This means that the application actually remains in memory. As the Pocket PC needs memory for other things, the OS will automatically close some of these applications that are open in the background. The rationale behind this is that commonly used programs will remain in memory in the background and for that reason switching to them is faster than if they have to reload into memory.<br /><br />Many Pocket PC users have indicated that they're less than happy with that approach, and I include myself in that group. I don't like the idea of program memory being clogged up with programs that I know for certain I want to close. Also, rumor has it that the process that manages closing these programs when memory starts to fill up has some quirks to it.<br /><br />Products that offer alternatives to the Close button approach are common. But Pocket Plus adds its own unique spin to this type of utility, which they integrate with their Task Manager.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-23.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 23: Close button options</i><br /><br />Pocket Plus offers 3 options for the Close button: Close, Minimize and Show Menu (for the Task Manager). These can be assigned to three Close button actions: tap, tap and hold and gesture (tap and slide down).<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-24.gif" /><br /><i>Figure 24: For you, I'll make an exception…</i><br /><br />A feature that makes Pocket Plus' Close button solution stand out is the ability to assign an application that will always be minimized when you tap the Close button. This could be useful if, for example, you make frequent use of one of the "super PIMs" like Agenda Fusion or Pocket Informant. To speed things up, you may want to leave such an application minimized so that it comes up more quickly the next time you access it.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/raeburn-may04-pocketplus-25.gif" /> <br /><i>Figure 25: The Task Manager</i><br /><br />Figure 25 shows the menu that Pocket Plus displays for its task manager. This menu has comparable functionality to other task manager products.<br /> <PAGEBREAK> <br /><span><b>What Else?</b></span><br />Pocket Plus also includes an automatic fix to a WM 2003 defect that adds spurious data to a notification database every time you soft reset. If the database gets too full, it could affect performance, so Pocket Plus cleans out the database for you.<br /><br /><span><b>Conclusions</b></span><br />Overall, I'm very impressed with Pocket Plus. I’d have to say that it provides at least as much utility as the WM 2003 upgrade that I applied to my 5450, and it’s much less expensive and much easier to install… no ROM update required. I also like the fact that Pocket Plus integrates with the existing Pocket PC functionality so seamlessly. Other than an extra icon or menu command here and there, almost everything it enhances looks and works pretty much like it did before the enhancement, just with enhanced functionality, so there’s almost no learning curve. This should be comforting for people who have adjusted to their Pocket PC and may be reluctant to change things around. There’s a lot of functionality here for not much money… highly recommended!

Jason Dunn
05-11-2004, 06:02 PM
I've been using Plus 2.0 for a few weeks now, and it's seriously very cool. I love the today screen enhancements. :-)

lonesniper
05-11-2004, 06:45 PM
I am running the old Pocket Plus 1.3.0, Build 59 version.
Any idea if there is going to be or is an upgrade path for excisting users?

Update:
Ok just found the update page http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/pocketplus/upgrade.php?en and it is only $4.95.

I could not see the cheaper upgrade mentioned in the review. Maybe it could be added to help users like me.

Zack Mahdavi
05-11-2004, 06:48 PM
This program looks very cool as well. I never bought the original version, since I already owned Battery Bar for task management and MultiIE for Internet Explorer tabbing.

How does PocketPlus hold up to MultiIE? Does switching between windows happen instantaneously, or is there a small lag?

Yet another good review, Doug! :)

Arne Hess
05-11-2004, 06:50 PM
I am running the old Pocket Plus 1.3.0, Build 59 version.
Any idea if there is going to be or is an upgrade path for excisting users?
Yes, there will be an upgrade for current users as announced today (http://www.ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1914) by Spb:
Owners of Pocket Plus 1.x can upgrade for $7.45 USD. Further details about the upgrade process are available at the Spb Software House Web site (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/go.php?id=45).

zilla31
05-11-2004, 06:53 PM
does the "x to close" functionality still conflict with wisbar advance?

pivaska
05-11-2004, 06:54 PM
I didn't see anything about vga support for the higher end pda's. Does anyone know if it does that?

lonesniper
05-11-2004, 06:58 PM
Owners of Pocket Plus 1.x can upgrade for $7.45 USD. Further details about the upgrade process are available at the Spb Software House Web site (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/go.php?id=45).

From site "Spb Pocket Plus to 2.0 for $4.95 (limited time offer, normal upgrade price is $7.45)"

Even better at the moment. Be quick people!!! :)

Jason Dunn
05-11-2004, 07:10 PM
I didn't see anything about vga support for the higher end pda's. Does anyone know if it does that?

Pocket Plus doesn't have any stand-alone modules other than the Today Screen plugin, so insofar as the built-in File Explorer supports VGA mode, so will Pocket Plus 2.0 because it's just a plugin for File Explorer. I think the only question would be whether the extended themes have VGA support, and I don't think they do.

Until SE comes out and real VGA devices ship, I wouldn't expect to see many vendors offering full VGA support yet - there's just not enough devices in the market yet to make it cost effective to do so.

Pixelnose
05-11-2004, 07:27 PM
It does conflict with the Close button in Wisbar advanced, but you can easily turn it off in SPB's settings. Otherwise, Wisbar and pocket plus live well together.

No comment in the review about the added Juni skins? For you guys that have the program already, the matching Wisbar skins are at Juni's website - http://www.kolumbus.fi/anders.ruohio/skinz.html

It's a shame the reviewer didn't test out the official PPCThoughts skin in the review. :(

zilla31
05-11-2004, 07:39 PM
It does conflict with the Close button in Wisbar advanced, but you can easily turn it off in SPB's settings. Otherwise, Wisbar and pocket plus live well together.

No comment in the review about the added Juni skins? For you guys that have the program already, the matching Wisbar skins are at Juni's website - http://www.kolumbus.fi/anders.ruohio/skinz.html

It's a shame the reviewer didn't test out the official PPCThoughts skin in the review. :(

pixelnose - when you are talking about added juni skins are you talking about WA skins or special skins that work w/ pocket plus?

dbman
05-11-2004, 07:43 PM
I just purchased the 2.0 upgrade. I uninstalled the 1.x version of Pocket Plus. I then ran the installer for 2.0.0. The installer completes its sequence and says the program was installed, but no install actually occurs. The standard activesync install dialog does not appear. I tried this several times without success. I also tried to install the free version of Arkanoid that is offered with the purchase of Pocket Plus 2.0 and it to does nothing. I tried to install my registered copy of SPB FreeCell and it too fails. Finally, I tried to reinstall my registered 1.x version of PocketPlus and again, nothing happens. I randomly tried a few other PocketPC programs like MXCalc and they install just fine. The ActiveSync install starts and asks me where to install the program. This is something that is not happening with the SPB installer. SPB must be doing something during the install that has now failed. This failure is blocking the rest of their programs too.

I have reset my Axim and my PC and nothing seems to fix this! I have submitted a support question to SPB and I waiting patiently for a reply.

I am hoping that someone here might have a suggestion on how to fix this problem.

Pixelnose
05-11-2004, 07:53 PM
For spb PocketPlus 2.0, Juni did Sphere, Fruity, OldStyle, and Turtle. I think Sphere comes with PocketPlus, but the others are in the extended theme pack. The screenshots of these themes are at spb's and Juni's website. For those themes that Juni did, he also did matching Wisbar themes. Those Wisbar themes are available for download at Juni's website. :p

If you look at the screenshots on Juni's sight, yeah, he did these themes for Pocketplus exclusively. Notice the battery and memory indicator buttons? Yup, those are Pocketplus themes. :D

It does conflict with the Close button in Wisbar advanced, but you can easily turn it off in SPB's settings. Otherwise, Wisbar and pocket plus live well together.

No comment in the review about the added Juni skins? For you guys that have the program already, the matching Wisbar skins are at Juni's website - http://www.kolumbus.fi/anders.ruohio/skinz.html

It's a shame the reviewer didn't test out the official PPCThoughts skin in the review. :(

pixelnose - when you are talking about added juni skins are you talking about WA skins or special skins that work w/ pocket plus?

huangzhinong
05-11-2004, 07:57 PM
impressive, almost let me uninstall clauncher. I think they did borrow a lot from claucher. Learning from each other is not bad.

MS definitely owe spb a big favor for patch up all MS's defects.

zilla31
05-11-2004, 07:59 PM
Ah i see. I have always been hanging around in the dahsboard section of juni's site (since i'm using dashboard) so i missed the WA specific section. still trying to figure out how i will integrate pocket plus in w/ dashboard.

Talldog
05-11-2004, 08:16 PM
Does anyone know exactly what they mean when they say that repeating alarms "may not work" ? The previous version broke the reminders on my 4155 completely, meaning that not only did the reminders not repeat, they didn't go off at all.

OSUKid7
05-11-2004, 08:33 PM
Looks like a great program. :) Any chance subscribers will get a discount on this??? 8)

Doug Raeburn
05-11-2004, 08:42 PM
Does anyone know exactly what they mean when they say that repeating alarms "may not work" ? The previous version broke the reminders on my 4155 completely, meaning that not only did the reminders not repeat, they didn't go off at all.

On my 5455, the only change was none at all... even when I had the repeating alarms turned on, the alarms worked as they did without the repeating alarm settings. But Pocket Plus didn't break the standard alarms.

The repeating alarms work fine on my 2215. Can't comment on the 4155, as I don't have access to one.

Kevin C. Tofel
05-11-2004, 08:48 PM
NOOOO!!!!! SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!!!

I just bought version 1.3.0, Build 59 a few days ago!!!!!

:puppydogeyes:

I know that software companies need upgrade rules, but I wish some of them would apply a reasonable "grace period" for free upgrades. Something like 30 days prior to new release would get you the new release....instead, I have to pay an additional 50% of what I just paid in order to get the upgrade.....bummer.....

KCT

darrylb
05-11-2004, 09:01 PM
NOOOO!!!!! SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!!!

I just bought version 1.3.0, Build 59 a few days ago!!!!!

:puppydogeyes:

I know that software companies need upgrade rules, but I wish some of them would apply a reasonable "grace period" for free upgrades. Something like 30 days prior to new release would get you the new release....instead, I have to pay an additional 50% of what I just paid in order to get the upgrade.....bummer.....

KCT

Even if they offered a 30 day grace period, you would still have to purchase the upgrade - like the rest of us who have been long time supporters.

At $4.95 I can tell you it is definately worth it!

genetiq
05-11-2004, 09:18 PM
NOOOO!!!!! SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!!!

I just bought version 1.3.0, Build 59 a few days ago!!!!!

:puppydogeyes:

I know that software companies need upgrade rules, but I wish some of them would apply a reasonable "grace period" for free upgrades. Something like 30 days prior to new release would get you the new release....instead, I have to pay an additional 50% of what I just paid in order to get the upgrade.....bummer.....

KCT

Actually, if you bought the software within 30 days before the release of new major version, you can acquire the new version for free. This is described in Spb Product Upgrade Policy (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/support/upgrade.html).

huangzhinong
05-11-2004, 09:19 PM
NOOOO!!!!! SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!!!

I just bought version 1.3.0, Build 59 a few days ago!!!!!

:puppydogeyes:

I know that software companies need upgrade rules, but I wish some of them would apply a reasonable "grace period" for free upgrades. Something like 30 days prior to new release would get you the new release....instead, I have to pay an additional 50% of what I just paid in order to get the upgrade.....bummer.....

KCT

Even if they offered a 30 day grace period, you would still have to purchase the upgrade - like the rest of us who have been long time supporters.

At $4.95 I can tell you it is definately worth it!

I don't think so.

Perry Reed
05-11-2004, 09:27 PM
Ah i see. I have always been hanging around in the dahsboard section of juni's site (since i'm using dashboard) so i missed the WA specific section. still trying to figure out how i will integrate pocket plus in w/ dashboard.

I'm using Pocket Plus with Dashboard and the two work together splendidly! You should have no problems at all.

Jason Dunn
05-11-2004, 09:39 PM
It's a shame the reviewer didn't test out the official PPCThoughts skin in the review. :(

&lt;cough> I was asked to wait until next week to post about that skin, so Doug didn't have it. I don't think Juni was supposed to post it yet. ;-)

Jason Dunn
05-11-2004, 09:50 PM
I don't think so.

Wow, what a detailed and well-thought out response - thank you SO much for sharing your feedback with the rest of the community. :roll:

If you have a point to make, make it, but one-line hack jobs are useless. I'm surprised you have anything to say at all - you usually only come out when someone mentions the word "Palm" then you strap on your sword and come out swinging to "defend the faith". :boohoo:

OSUKid7
05-11-2004, 10:00 PM
It's a shame the reviewer didn't test out the official PPCThoughts skin in the review. :(
PPCThoughts skin? URL anyone?

Jason Dunn
05-11-2004, 10:07 PM
PPCThoughts skin? URL anyone?

It's a surprise coming next week that has now been ruined. &lt;sigh>

SHC
05-11-2004, 10:11 PM
I've been using pocketplus! for months with dashboard, I've now ditched dashboard as pocketplus 2.0 does everything I need. Knocks battery pack for six. For those who upgrade you even get a free copy of arkball too!

OSUKid7
05-11-2004, 10:16 PM
PPCThoughts skin? URL anyone?

It's a surprise coming next week that has now been ruined. &lt;sigh>
D'oh! lol...I wouldn't have even seen it if you hadn't have quoted him. Well...suprise! :lol: I'm still looking forward to it. :)

acetuk
05-11-2004, 10:16 PM
I've noticed a little problem when using Wisbar Advance with Pocket Plus 2.

I like the idea of having the battery bar across the top of the screen but if I have Wisbar running before Pocket Plus is activated then it doesn't appear - instead I only see the Wisbar background on the taskbar.

If I exit Wisbar the battery bar appears on the standard taskbar.

If I now restart Wisbar then the battery bar is still visible.

The problem only seems to occur if Wisbar starts before Pocket Plus 2 - such as when I do a soft reset. This means that my standard setting in Sprite Backup to soft reset after doing it's nightly backup will leave me without the battery bar at the top of the screen.

This is just a little annoying. Has anybody else seen this and found a workaround?

Jason Dunn
05-11-2004, 10:18 PM
I've noticed a little problem when using Wisbar Advance with Pocket Plus 2.

Ok, it's been a long time since I checked our Wisbar Advance - last time I checked, it was a task killer/switcher, which is what Plus also does. So why do you want to run both? Or does it do more now? :-)

dequardo
05-11-2004, 10:19 PM
2.1 MB+ INSTALL???

acetuk
05-11-2004, 10:30 PM
I've used Wisbar for a very long time now and like to have a visual check on what is running on my PPC via the icons on the taskbar. I also use it to skin the buttons and generally make things more to my liking for my day-to-day work and pleasure.

I've never used the task switcher / killer option on the original Pocket Plus and don't see my using the feature on version two anytime soon. Unless I ditch Wisbar which I don't plan to do.

Pocket Plus, alongside Calender Plus Pro, are the only two today screen plugins I use. On the original version of Pocket Plus I liked to be able to see my battery status as well as have my four main used programs for 'quick tap' access. Version two on Pocket Plus is a major development - being able to have tabbed pages of icons works perfectly for my needs as I can now include more icons without messing my today screen layout.

Would it be possible somehow for Pocket Plus to force it's battery bar to the front of the display so that it always lays on top of skins such as Wisbars?

OSUKid7
05-11-2004, 10:33 PM
Ok, it's been a long time since I checked our Wisbar Advance - last time I checked, it was a task killer/switcher, which is what Plus also does. So why do you want to run both? Or does it do more now? :-)
I believe it also skins the toolbars and other parts of the screen. I don't think Plus does that.

Jason Dunn
05-11-2004, 10:36 PM
2.1 MB+ INSTALL???

About 500 KB of that are the extended skins, but yeah, it's still a bit on the large side.

dequardo
05-11-2004, 10:38 PM
2.1 MB+ INSTALL???

About 500 KB of that are the extended skins, but yeah, it's still a bit on the large side.

Jason,
Where are these files housed? I can't see them (nowhere near 1.6 MB at least) in File Explorer?

TIA

Mike

joelevi
05-11-2004, 10:39 PM
I just purchased the 2.0 upgrade. I uninstalled the 1.x version of Pocket Plus. I then ran the installer for 2.0.0. The installer completes its sequence and says the program was installed, but no install actually occurs.

I don't know if it'll help, I went thru the installer, all looked fine, then nothing on my iPaq 4155... I looked on the Pocket PC's Remove Programs control panel, not there. I went looking for it with the file explorer: there is was! Just the .cab. A single tap and all went well.

joelevi
05-11-2004, 10:42 PM
2.1 MB+ INSTALL???

About 500 KB of that are the extended skins, but yeah, it's still a bit on the large side.

Jason,
Where are these files housed? I can't see them (nowhere near 1.6 MB at least) in File Explorer?

TIA

Mike

A lot of the required space is in the .cab which "evaporates" after installation. Even so, it was too big to install to my iPaq File store. Seems to run fine from my MMC card tho.

Deltrevan
05-11-2004, 10:55 PM
I've been using pocketplus! for months with dashboard, I've now ditched dashboard as pocketplus 2.0 does everything I need. Knocks battery pack for six. For those who upgrade you even get a free copy of arkball too!

I bought the upgrade...but where is the link to this free copy of Arkball that everyone is talking about?

huangzhinong
05-11-2004, 10:59 PM
I don't think so.

Wow, what a detailed and well-thought out response - thank you SO much for sharing your feedback with the rest of the community. :roll:

If you have a point to make, make it, but one-line hack jobs are useless. I'm surprised you have anything to say at all - you usually only come out when someone mentions the word "Palm" then you strap on your sword and come out swinging to "defend the faith". :boohoo:

Interesting. For $15 apps, pocket plus worth every penny. Trust me, Pocket Plus is in my PPC from day 1 to now.

But, I still think $4.94 upgrading fee is not justified for those who bought version 1.3 within 30 days. Almost all apps have the free upgrade grace period for the major upgrade, such as Af 5.7 to 6.0, WM2003 upgrade for toshiba e750.

OSUKid7
05-11-2004, 11:02 PM
But, I still think $4.94 upgrading fee is not justified for those who bought version 1.3 within 30 days. Almost all apps have the free upgrade grace period for the major upgrade, such as Af 5.7 to 6.0, WM2003 upgrade for toshiba e750.
:roll: Here I go, replying with a quote. This is why you read. ;)
Actually, if you bought the software within 30 days before the release of new major version, you can acquire the new version for free. This is described in Spb Product Upgrade Policy (http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/support/upgrade.html).

Jason Dunn
05-11-2004, 11:03 PM
But, I still think $4.94 upgrading fee is not justified for those who bought version 1.3 within 30 days.

We agree on that, so read this:

http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/support/upgrade.html?en

Enough said I trust?

Kevin C. Tofel
05-11-2004, 11:18 PM
OK, OK....shame on me!

I was at work when I noticed the Pocket Plus upgrade story....that's when I broke down into tears and posted my sob story about just purchasing the prior version of Pocket Plus.

Now that I'm home and can check my personal e-mail (it's blocked at work), I noticed an e-mail from spb at 12:56pm. Guess what: since I purchased the prior version with 30 days, I can indeed get a free upgrade.

What a class act to proactively contact me with this information! WTG Spb!!!! :way to go:

In addition, the upgrade instructions are clear and simple.....I've even been provided my new registration code.

Spb: with customer service like that, you can count on my future support.....great service with quality products is rare combination today....thanks!

KCT

Doug Raeburn
05-11-2004, 11:54 PM
This program looks very cool as well. I never bought the original version, since I already owned Battery Bar for task management and MultiIE for Internet Explorer tabbing.

How does PocketPlus hold up to MultiIE? Does switching between windows happen instantaneously, or is there a small lag?

Yet another good review, Doug! :)

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

Sorry it took me a while to respond... I had to get home in order to check.

I don't have personal experience with MultiIE (I'm a Thunderhawk fan), but the Pocket Plus-enhanced PIE shows no delay at all when switching between windows.

PR.
05-12-2004, 12:07 AM
Does sticking application icons on the today screen slow it down as bad as Battery Bar does?

Pixelnose
05-12-2004, 01:02 AM
My bad - well, he hasn't posted the skin at all - he modified it for his own personal use, but that won't be uploaded anywhere. ;) He was standing right here when I made that post, so either he didn't know or forgot not to say anything. Oh well, at least there's no screenshot of it then. :)


It's a shame the reviewer didn't test out the official PPCThoughts skin in the review. :(

&lt;cough> I was asked to wait until next week to post about that skin, so Doug didn't have it. I don't think Juni was supposed to post it yet. ;-)

k_kirk
05-12-2004, 02:58 AM
SPB Plus has been on my XDA from day 1. Over time freeware (ie cLaunch) sort of chipped into some of its use and I can see how this upgrade will raise the bar and give SPB Plus a new breath of life. I will run to the upgrade and get it on my XDA2 now. I love the new battery bar concept! A brilliant idea.

I can't help but feel SPB failed to listen to feedback in some areas.

The one feature I really miss is the ability to map buttons to browser actions in PIE. Other competing products do have this feature so why not SPB Plus. When you go full screen and need to tap the Back button on the screen what do you do now? How nice would it be to have the ability to map a button to do Back etc.

I would also love it if SPB Plus stored the last screen mode used in PIE. I have a habit of viewing AvantGo in FullScreen all the time I would love to go back to PIE find it in FullScreen already. This could be a user selectable option.

Anyways, enough ranting. Let me go get the upgrade and ArkBall while its still hot.

PS to Jason - Thought you had retired from your "Defender of SPB" post so why are you still bashing people about? Freedom of speach applies to this site right? Please be nice :-)

huangzhinong
05-12-2004, 04:03 AM
I have a specfic question for Pocket plus.

I checked my notifications database and found 2018 events, 2000 of which are plusreminder.exe CNT_TIME. Anybody has the same problem? Every reset will add 2 same events to this database and none of clear notification utility can clear it automatically.

I have pocket Plus installed, and I didn't install pocket backup plus, so I guess the plusreminder.exe is from pocket plus.

Any suggestion is welcome.

Edited: Pocket Plus will add an event plusreminder.exe CNT_TIME to the database for EVERY POWEROFF, which is why I have more than 2000 events. I cleared all of them 10 mins ago and now I have 4 same events again. :evil:

k_kirk
05-12-2004, 04:20 AM
huangzhinong - You are right. This entry is related to PocketPlus. In my case the power off / power on event does not cause the entry to be duplicated though. I tried about 10 times and did not observe the issue you mention.

huangzhinong
05-12-2004, 05:08 AM
huangzhinong - You are right. This entry is related to PocketPlus. In my case the power off / power on event does not cause the entry to be duplicated though. I tried about 10 times and did not observe the issue you mention.

It only happens when the PPC automatically turn off. I tried again and again and I can repeat it.

When I power off by pressing the power button, there is no duplicate entry.

When I disable the repeating alarms in pocket plus options, there is no duplicate entry either.

So I think this must be a serious bug.

By the way, did you see the duplicate entry in your PPC? maybe it's only my PPC problem.

k_kirk
05-12-2004, 06:01 AM
Once again you are right!!! Now that my ppc has gone to sleep a few times and woken up by me I also see the entries you mention. ScaryBear Check Notifications does detect them as duplicate (marks them red) but the Clear button does not seem to be able to remove them. How did you manage to remove all?

I agree this seems like a bug and will need to be reported to SPB. Any one here from SPB?

juni
05-12-2004, 06:24 AM
I've been using plus since I got the first alpha version and I'm very impressed with it. Especially the launcher part is really great (with the drag'n'drop and auto-arrange). I haven't noticed any slow-downs whatsoever because of it.

I didn't know about the hush-hush when it comes to custom skins, I assumed they were for the release - but of course I didn't post it anywhere or display any screenshots - so the surprise is still there. No one knows what it looks like (but maybe it says something that I've been using it myself ever since I designed it - and I'm extremely picky). ;)

huangzhinong
05-12-2004, 06:36 AM
Once again you are right!!! Now that my ppc has gone to sleep a few times and woken up by me I also see the entries you mention. ScaryBear Check Notifications does detect them as duplicate (marks them red) but the Clear button does not seem to be able to remove them. How did you manage to remove all?

I agree this seems like a bug and will need to be reported to SPB. Any one here from SPB?

In the ScaryBear Check Notifications options, you can choose to clear them.

vassiliphilippov
05-12-2004, 11:18 AM
I have a specfic question for Pocket plus.

I checked my notifications database and found 2018 events, 2000 of which are plusreminder.exe CNT_TIME. Anybody has the same problem? Every reset will add 2 same events to this database and none of clear notification utility can clear it automatically.

I have pocket Plus installed, and I didn't install pocket backup plus, so I guess the plusreminder.exe is from pocket plus.

Any suggestion is welcome.

Edited: Pocket Plus will add an event plusreminder.exe CNT_TIME to the database for EVERY POWEROFF, which is why I have more than 2000 events. I cleared all of them 10 mins ago and now I have 4 same events again.


It was a bug in Spb Pocket Plus 2.0 (Build 1178).
This bug is fixed (Build 1184). New version is uploaded to Spb Software House website.

Vassili Philippov
Spb Software House

vassiliphilippov
05-12-2004, 11:22 AM
I bought the upgrade...but where is the link to this free copy of Arkball that everyone is talking about?


It is a limited time offer that will expire at the end of this week. All people who purchase Spb Pocket Plus 2.0 or upgrade from 1.x to 2.0 (except free upgrade) get a free copy of Spb Arkaball.

You will get instructions how to download and register your copy of Spb Arkaball in the Spb Pocket Plus purchase confirmation email that you receive from Spb Software House.

Vassili Philippov
Spb Software House

k_kirk
05-12-2004, 01:44 PM
It was a bug in Spb Pocket Plus 2.0 (Build 1178).
This bug is fixed (Build 1184). New version is uploaded to Spb Software House website.

Awesome. Super service!!! Thanks

dequardo
05-12-2004, 02:28 PM
Nasty bug but quick work indeed. Thanks!

dbman
05-12-2004, 03:15 PM
I just purchased the 2.0 upgrade. I uninstalled the 1.x version of Pocket Plus. I then ran the installer for 2.0.0. The installer completes its sequence and says the program was installed, but no install actually occurs. The standard activesync install dialog does not appear. I tried this several times without success. I also tried to install the free version of Arkanoid that is offered with the purchase of Pocket Plus 2.0 and it to does nothing. I tried to install my registered copy of SPB FreeCell and it too fails. Finally, I tried to reinstall my registered 1.x version of PocketPlus and again, nothing happens. I randomly tried a few other PocketPC programs like MXCalc and they install just fine. The ActiveSync install starts and asks me where to install the program. This is something that is not happening with the SPB installer. SPB must be doing something during the install that has now failed. This failure is blocking the rest of their programs too.

It appears that something has corrupted my primary computer. I took this program home and used my laptop to install it. The install worked perfectly. I am very pleased with the upgrade!

I have uninstalled ActiveSync 371 and reinstalled it with no luck. Since many other programs now will not install properly or reinstall, I will probably have to rebuild my windows install.

I have reset my Axim and my PC and nothing seems to fix this! I have submitted a support question to SPB and I waiting patiently for a reply.

I am hoping that someone here might have a suggestion on how to fix this problem.

ctmagnus
05-12-2004, 08:39 PM
A few things not mentioned in the review:

1) You can swap the system meters (power, memory, storage cards) in the today plug-in from one theme to another. Simply set one of the new extended themes as your current theme, go into the properties for the Today plug-in and select "Always use indicators from theme "Spb ... Ext"".

2) You can backup/restore your Pocket Plus settings by opening the main Pocket Plus configuration dialogue, opening the Tools menu, selecting Backup Settings... or Restore Settings and specifying where to backup/restore to/from.

socrates63
05-13-2004, 12:23 AM
Now that I'm home and can check my personal e-mail (it's blocked at work), I noticed an e-mail from spb at 12:56pm. Guess what: since I purchased the prior version with 30 days, I can indeed get a free upgrade.

What a class act to proactively contact me with this information! WTG Spb!!!! :way to go:

In addition, the upgrade instructions are clear and simple.....I've even been provided my new registration code.

Spb: with customer service like that, you can count on my future support.....great service with quality products is rare combination today....thanks!

KCT
Ame. I concur 100%. Spb is awesome. I own Spb Imageer and recently bought Pocket Plus for the repeating alarm feature alone and received an email on the free upgrade. V2 is great.

jlp
05-13-2004, 01:01 AM
I've noticed a little problem when using Wisbar Advance with Pocket Plus 2.

I like the idea of having the battery bar across the top of the screen but if I have Wisbar running before Pocket Plus is activated then it doesn't appear - instead I only see the Wisbar background on the taskbar.

If I exit Wisbar the battery bar appears on the standard taskbar.

If I now restart Wisbar then the battery bar is still visible.

The problem only seems to occur if Wisbar starts before Pocket Plus 2 - such as when I do a soft reset. This means that my standard setting in Sprite Backup to soft reset after doing it's nightly backup will leave me without the battery bar at the top of the screen.

This is just a little annoying. Has anybody else seen this and found a workaround?

Only workaround I can think of is to disable P.Bkp from soft resetting after each backup: Options -> Scheduling and uncheck Soft reset on success.

I've done so a while back because I felt irritated by this constant resetting and see no reason to have it do so.

I even disabled the Stop processes before backup in the Options -> Backup options. I believe this option is not needed if you let the device alone while it's backing up (or is it backuping?) and no app perform any file operations.

jlp
05-13-2004, 01:05 AM
SPBP screen shots only show 3 icons that reflect memory/storage status.

Can it handle the 5 status required on all those devices with 2 memory slots and an internal Store like a Dell Axim X5, Toshiba 7xx/8xx, Casio E-200 (even 6 status for this one with the CF sleeve), etc.?

Doug Raeburn
05-13-2004, 03:21 AM
SPBP screen shots only show 3 icons that reflect memory/storage status.

Can it handle the 5 status required on all those devices with 2 memory slots and an internal Store like a Dell Axim X5, Toshiba 7xx/8xx, Casio E-200 (even 6 status for this one with the CF sleeve), etc.?

On my 2215, Pocket Plus supports icons for main memory, iPAQ File Store and both memory cards.

Doug Raeburn
05-13-2004, 03:35 AM
I just found out another fun fact... while playing around with the repeating alarms, I discovered that the settings dialog can be accessed through the tap and hold menu for an appointment or task with both Agenda Fusion and Pocket Informant. You find it in AF's Add-Ins menu and in PI's Tools menu.

I'm even more impressed! :D

Andy Whiteford
05-13-2004, 11:08 AM
I must say, this is a big improvement on version 1.x from my point of view and all the issues I had have been resolved. I have noticed two things though, the first of which is what stops me from using this software as my main today plug in:

1. Alarm functionality works very well, especially the escalating alarms which will overide the volume when muted for Clock and Calendar alarms however this does not affect third party apps such as apMemo which is a memo reminder program. If my volume is muted the alarm for apMemo will not sound. It would be nice to have this as an option for third party apps.

2. The task manager works very well but if you have a few apps running and you wish to close one which is not the current app, you need to switch to it first, there is no option to close a running app that is not the currently select app from the task manager menu.

If I am wrong in any of the above or have overlooked something then please keep me posted. It would be good if these could be addressed in a future build.

Darius Wey
05-13-2004, 12:12 PM
Does anyone experience the same problem:

OK, here's the details.

Normally, in Windows Media Player, when you have a playlist selected or Local Content selected, and you exit the program, you will return back to that same selection when you next start up Windows Media Player.

Example: I have 1 playlist (Voice Command) on my PPC. I exit Windows Media Player with Voice Command selected as the last playlist used. I then start up Windows Media Player again, and it reverts back to Local Content. Usually, when I start up WMP again, Voice Command should be the selected playlist; it shouldn't revert back to Local Content.

For the record, I have an iPAQ h1940 and access music via a 256MB SD card.

Now you must be thinking WTF this has to do with Pocket Plus 2.0? Well, I only experienced this problem since installing Pocket Plus 2.0. I had no previous occurrences of this problem, even when I had Pocket Plus 1.3 installed. So does anyone experience the same problem or is it just me? I've also tried soft-resetting and the same event occurs.

Suggestions are greatly appreciated.

iant54
05-13-2004, 01:10 PM
Having tinkered, I've made the switch from Battery Pack to Pocket Plus. My one gripe so far, though, is that the only way you can choose the battery/storage meter design is by cycling through the skins until you find the one you like, then changing the option on the Today Plug-in Appearance tab to "Always use Indicators from theme ". I would much prefer being able to see the icon style as a individual selectable option.

BTW does anyone know whether there's a forum for the program?

Darius Wey
05-13-2004, 01:18 PM
BTW does anyone know whether there's a forum for the program?

Yup...I believe you're looking at it ;)

Which otherwise means I don't think so.

But you can always ask the support team at Spb if you have a query:

http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/pocketplus/support.html?en

There's also about a few FAQs on this page too. :D

makezizz
05-13-2004, 02:17 PM
I loved the old version of Pocket Plus and I upgraded as soon as I found out it was available. The extra functionality is great but I'm having a weird little problem.

I do a lot of reading with the Microsoft reader. I'm currently reading Wicked, a great book. When I finish reading I don't close the book, I just turn off the PPC. I have the setting turned on to show the Today screen if th device is not used for 4 hours. Normally when I'd turn it on more than 4 hours later I'd see the Today screen with no problems, but since I installed Pocket Plus 2.0 it locks up and displays most of the Today screen but the chunk in the middle that has the Pocket Plus info still has the text from the ebook. So far it's happend twice, the second time I waited about 5 minutes to see if it clear itself up but it didn't. Both times it was fixed with a soft reset.

I have an IPAQ 2215 and I installed Pocket Plus on my CF card. I didn't want to take up 2mb of my main memory. I noticed that I have build 1178 and I read in an earlier post that there is a new build. I'll try installing that when I get home tonight. Maybe that'll fix it.

iant54
05-13-2004, 02:44 PM
I'd guess that anything you're expecting to see immediately on your Today screen would need to be installed in Main Memory, since there's a delay before a storage card kicks in.

Trancreative's WordBook was suffering from a similar problem (in my experience), where leaving it running while turning off my device for a couple of moments before switching it back on and trying to switch to the anagram/wildcard option caused it to freeze between the two and necessitated a hard reset. They've solved it by allowing the program to be installed to the Main Memory, while the (10Mb) data file is held on the storage card.

dequardo
05-13-2004, 02:48 PM
I have an IPAQ 2215 and I installed Pocket Plus on my CF card. I didn't want to take up 2mb of my main memory.

I also installed to the (SD) card on my 1945. I notice only a VERY small amount though that gets sent to the card. Most (99%) of the app still goes to RAM. Is that what others see?

Mike

vassiliphilippov
05-13-2004, 03:46 PM
I have an IPAQ 2215 and I installed Pocket Plus on my CF card. I didn't want to take up 2mb of my main memory. I noticed that I have build 1178 and I read in an earlier post that there is a new build. I'll try installing that when I get home tonight. Maybe that'll fix it.


Do not install Spb Pocket Plus to a storage card. As any system utility Spb Pocket Plus can be installed to main memory only.

Here is the reason:

it takes time to load the storage card driver after reset or power-on. System utilities are registered to be loaded just after reset. So if you install a system utility to a storage card sometimes the system cannot load it after soft-reset (storage card driver is not loaded yet) and the program fails.

Vassili Philippov
Spb Software House

dequardo
05-13-2004, 04:04 PM
I have an IPAQ 2215 and I installed Pocket Plus on my CF card. I didn't want to take up 2mb of my main memory. I noticed that I have build 1178 and I read in an earlier post that there is a new build. I'll try installing that when I get home tonight. Maybe that'll fix it.


Do not install Spb Pocket Plus to a storage card. As any system utility Spb Pocket Plus can be installed to main memory only.

Here is the reason:

it takes time to load the storage card driver after reset or power-on. System utilities are registered to be loaded just after reset. So if you install a system utility to a storage card sometimes the system cannot load it after soft-reset (storage card driver is not loaded yet) and the program fails.

Vassili Philippov
Spb Software House

Vassili,
The following (total of ~100k) is all that gets put on the card. The rest is in RAM. Do your comments still apply?

Thanks, Mike


Outlookplus.dll 51k
OutlookPlus_en.txt 1.5k
plusdefaultsettings.plss 11k
PlusOptions.exe 7k
PlusTodayPlugin.dll 8k
PlusTodayPluginMFC_en.txt 3.5k
pocketplus_en.txt 7k
PocketPlusIcon_en.txt 3k
Services.exe 13k

Jason Lee
05-13-2004, 04:41 PM
2.1 MB+ INSTALL???

This is a huge install. I ran out of room on my ppc when i installed it. :( i had to go back an remove some apps i kinda used but not very often. I know.. too much clutter on my ppc... but i do use those apps... sometimes... ;)
It would be nice if during install there were an option as to which pices of pocket plus were installed... I would not install the ext themes, file explorer addin, pocket IE addin, or the 2003 startup fix. I am not sure how modular the program is so this might not even be possible without a complete rewrite. I do like that I can enable/disable the components but I would also like to get my ram back from the parts I never use.

Edit: Oh and if you copy the ext themes to your storage card they still work but the theme loop button no longer works.

ctmagnus
05-13-2004, 06:06 PM
Does anyone experience the same problem:

OK, here's the details.

Normally, in Windows Media Player, when you have a playlist selected or Local Content selected, and you exit the program, you will return back to that same selection when you next start up Windows Media Player.

Example: I have 1 playlist (Voice Command) on my PPC. I exit Windows Media Player with Voice Command selected as the last playlist used. I then start up Windows Media Player again, and it reverts back to Local Content. Usually, when I start up WMP again, Voice Command should be the selected playlist; it shouldn't revert back to Local Content.

For the record, I have an iPAQ h1940 and access music via a 256MB SD card.

Now you must be thinking WTF this has to do with Pocket Plus 2.0? Well, I only experienced this problem since installing Pocket Plus 2.0. I had no previous occurrences of this problem, even when I had Pocket Plus 1.3 installed. So does anyone experience the same problem or is it just me? I've also tried soft-resetting and the same event occurs.

Me too! I was wondering what was happening with WMP.

socrates63
05-13-2004, 07:25 PM
I'd guess that anything you're expecting to see immediately on your Today screen would need to be installed in Main Memory, since there's a delay before a storage card kicks in.
Install to main memory and the problem should go away. As iant54 said, it's due to the delay before the storage card is fully powered.

Unwired
05-13-2004, 08:32 PM
:devilboy:

The text on my tab doesn't seem to be "true typed". Is there any setting to do this? If it does, I can't seem to find it.

Thanks!

ctmagnus
05-13-2004, 08:45 PM
You will get instructions how to download and register your copy of Spb Arkaball in the Spb Pocket Plus purchase confirmation email that you receive from Spb Software House.

Vassili Philippov
Spb Software House

I didn't get those instructions. I got the Handango order email but nothing directly from Spb, unlike when I purchased Spb Pocket Plus 1.x.

vassiliphilippov
05-13-2004, 09:46 PM
About Spb Arkaball...

Our system works in the following way: when you purchase an Spb product at Handango Handango sends us an email about this purchase. Our scripts handle it and send you Spb purchase confirmation email.

Last few days Handango delays emails they send to us. So we receive emails not immediatly but all emails about purchases for a day are sent in the begin of the next day. That's why our system could delay sending you your Spb purchase confirmation email. But it will be sent. As I understand the Handango system maximum possible delay could be 24 hours.

You can always contact our support in case of any questions and they will be glad to help you:
http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/support

Vassili Philippov
Spb Software House

Unwired
05-13-2004, 10:04 PM
:devilboy:

The text on my tab doesn't seem to be "true typed". Is there any setting to do this? If it does, I can't seem to find it.

Thanks!

Darius Wey
05-14-2004, 12:58 AM
Me too! I was wondering what was happening with WMP.

Good...so it isn't just me. If anyone knows a fix for this problem, it'll be greatly appreciated if you could tell us. Thanks.

ctmagnus
05-14-2004, 03:38 AM
Me too! I was wondering what was happening with WMP.

Good...so it isn't just me. If anyone knows a fix for this problem, it'll be greatly appreciated if you could tell us. Thanks.

I figured out a workaround for the time being. It's a few extra steps, but WMP opens up in the playlist you left it in if you use iTask or a similar item to tap'n'hold to close WMP rather than just tapping the X.

Also, if you use MultIE, you may end up with the little triangle at the bottom-right after you close PIE via the X. The solution is, again, to close it via a task manager other than Pocket Plus.

Darius Wey
05-14-2004, 06:08 AM
I figured out a workaround for the time being. It's a few extra steps, but WMP opens up in the playlist you left it in if you use iTask or a similar item to tap'n'hold to close WMP rather than just tapping the X.

Also, if you use MultIE, you may end up with the little triangle at the bottom-right after you close PIE via the X. The solution is, again, to close it via a task manager other than Pocket Plus.

Yup I tried this one out. It does work. Because I have the 1940, I don't have iTask but I just used the 'task manager' in Settings - Memory to kill the app. The next time I fire up WMP, it's back to my previous selected playlist.

Good find!!! Although, if Spb could fix this bug, it'd save a lot of trouble.

SHC
05-14-2004, 08:53 AM
Could the problem be that WMP is not closed, only minimised, if you look in running programmes its still there, pocketplus closes the programme completley. You can tell pocketplus to minimize it in the close button settings. I have it set so that when you tap the X, all programmes close except PI which then opens where I left it.

John0866
05-14-2004, 08:07 PM
Yes it looks cool, but why is this software better than the combination of:

Tom Gigear's BatMemTime 3.3.7

and

Cai Systems cLaunch 12.03

Both of these are not as pretty but they are FREE!

ctmagnus
05-14-2004, 08:13 PM
After I tap the X, it's not running anymore, in Memory settings or anywhere else. However, the issue of not remembering the current playlist as well as the fact that a Windows Media Player Temp folder remains in the \Temp folder after WMP is closed via the X leads me to believe that WMP is not shutting down properly when closed via the X.

Darius Wey
05-15-2004, 05:31 PM
After I tap the X, it's not running anymore, in Memory settings or anywhere else. However, the issue of not remembering the current playlist as well as the fact that a Windows Media Player Temp folder remains in the \Temp folder after WMP is closed via the X leads me to believe that WMP is not shutting down properly when closed via the X.

I contacted Spb support and they confirmed that this WMP and Pocket Plus issue is indeed a bug within the Pocket Plus 2.0 release. They informed me that it will be updated in the next build of Pocket Plus. Something to smile about :mrgreen: .

Altaman
05-16-2004, 03:16 PM
Well after a couple days of using Pocket Plus I am very impressed, the functionality of the product allows me to remove some of the extra little utilies that are stored on my PPC. The alarms enhancement is a definate plus to the funtionality of my system.

The one thing that I would like to see in the task launcher is the option to have the names of the items shown...even SPB in their documentation acknowledges that the icons can make it rather difficult to distinguish what an icon represents.

Other than that I find the plugin a welcome addition to my arsenal of utilities.

Alt

buckyg
05-16-2004, 04:24 PM
I think Altaman's got it right, Plus is an "arsenal of utilities". I know that there are many utilities that combined can do a lot of what Plus does. Plus is one program, so you know the individual utilities work together. That's my way of thinking. Also, I'm not sure that all of the features can be had with separate freeware, but I maybe mistaken.

Altaman
05-16-2004, 05:44 PM
Yes and if you take a look at each of at each of these little utilities that a person uses to gain the same/most of the functionality and the space that is actually used by them then Pocket Plus 2 is not really that large. Take a look at the space used on you PPC, remove the themes you don't want and the memory usage is quite respectable.

Alt

Jereboam
05-18-2004, 08:57 PM
Hmmm, as someone mentioned above my tab headings don't seem to be "ClearType"-ed. This is disappointing unless I am being a dimwit and have missed something...otherwise I like this...has replaced Battery Pack (it irritated me that they released a "pro" version which was the same thing slightly tweaked...and that I would have to pay for an upgrade, don't like that kind of underhand stuff after promised free upgrades for life, so now SpB has my dosh ;) ).

Also, it would be nice to be able to point the Today storage icons at a third-party file explorer - I as many others use Resco - is this possible?

Also, I can't help feeling that the small vertical line, to the left of the first tab, when it is selected, looks rough. I think it should be absent, or that the tabs should be skinnable possibly?

Good job, hope my criticisms are taken as constructive...

J'bm

jproudfo
05-20-2004, 01:02 AM
Has anyone else noticed that their battery life has been significantly reduced after installing Pocket Plus? I installed it two days ago and it seems like I'm only getting about 3/4 - 1/2 of the battery life I would normally get.

I haven't made any other changes to my PPC usage or applications recently.

I really enjoy Pocket Plus, so far, though. The only thing I think it is missing is skinnable menubars and buttons. :)

dequardo
05-20-2004, 10:29 PM
Any way to tell what the current build number is-or version? They don't seem to want to change from the generic 'version 2.0' even though they have rev'd the pgm at least once in that past week.

TIA

Mike

ctmagnus
05-20-2004, 10:42 PM
I just redownloaded it and it's still build 1184.

ctmagnus
05-22-2004, 12:56 AM
Anyone else notice their alarms not going off until the device is turned on with the new release, regardless of time of day?

Repeating alarms worked wonderfully for me with Spb Pocket Plus 1.x but they're now broken on my unit, even if it's freshly-hard-reset with Pocket Plus 2.0 as the only installed app on the unit.

However, I still have basic alarm functionality if I disable repeating alarms in the Spb Pocket Plus options.

CESkins
05-22-2004, 05:49 AM
Anyone else notice their alarms not going off until the device is turned on with the new release, regardless of time of day?...
I have the same problem...using a HP iPAQ 4150.

Zack Mahdavi
05-24-2004, 11:22 PM
Anyone else notice their alarms not going off until the device is turned on with the new release, regardless of time of day?

I'm having the same problem as well on my iPaq 4155.

One thing I'd like to see in SPB Pocket Plus is a little "down-arrow" by the close button, and when tapped shows the close program menu. Basically, I can't let go of the down arrow in Battery Pack. It's too useful to me.

Until those two things are addressed, I think I'll stick with Battery Pack.

Jereboam
05-25-2004, 05:38 PM
Use WisBar Advance (http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/) and skins from Juni (http://www.kolumbus.fi/anders.ruohio/wa.html) which will give you that close menu functionality plus much more...it's free and updated regularly.

J'bm

ignar
05-25-2004, 05:43 PM
One thing I'd like to see in SPB Pocket Plus is a little "down-arrow" by the close button, and when tapped shows the close program menu. Basically, I can't let go of the down arrow in Battery Pack. It's too useful to me.


Just check, you know you can tap and hold the close button to open the menu, don't you?

Zack Mahdavi
05-25-2004, 05:54 PM
Just check, you know you can tap and hold the close button to open the menu, don't you?

Yeah, I knew that.. but still, that's not nearly as convenient as clicking a button and having the menu instantly appear.

Jereboam, I'll give Wisbar Advance a shot. :)

ignar
05-25-2004, 06:01 PM
Yeah, I knew that.. but still, that's not nearly as convenient as clicking a button and having the menu instantly appear.

OK. good. Personally I like how PocketPlus handles it. Battery pack close button looks fat and intrusive in my eyes. :) I like the close icon beside the program list in battery pack though.

xler
07-20-2005, 12:03 PM
version 3.0 is released!
Also try icon set (http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?productType=2&amp;platformId=2&amp;siteId=1&amp;productId=167975) for Pocket Plus. Works good with version 3.0